Dive into the World of Aquatic Insects

 

 

When You See Us: The Mysterious World of Aquatic Insects 
by Katherine Hocker; illus. by Svabhu Kohli 
32 pages; ages 3-7
Candlewick, 2026

themes: nature, insects, water
 

 We are born on the sides of boulders or under leaf skeletons, in the waving stems of water moss or on a pond’s rippling skin.

Spread by spread, Katherine Hocker takes us on a field trip into the mysterious and fascinating world of aquatic insects. We learn where they hide, what they eat, and how they move.

 

What I like about this book: The language is luscious and lyrical and so inviting that you almost forget this is a factual look at aquatic insects. For example, because they have exoskeletons, the larvae need to molt (shed their skin) as they grow. Katherine writes that they eat and grow “…until we split open like flower buds…” which is such a cool way to think about underwater bugs. The illustrations are wonderful, capturing the feel of these insect lives both as aquatic larvae and as adults that fly through the air. And I love the back matter, where readers can learn more about the insects, and how to get a closer look at them in real life.

Katherine was one of the featured authors at the Sixth Annual GROG Arthropod Roundtable on Earth Day 2026, and you can find out more about her book – and her love for bugs – here. 

Beyond the Books:

Go water-bug watching. Stand or sit in a comfortable (and safe) spot next to a stream, lake, or pond. Then focus your eyes on a stick or stone beneath the water’s surface and gaze around. Soon you’ll see things crawling, swimming, or wriggling in the water.

Draw a picture of one (or more) insects you find living in the water.

Watch how aquatic insects move. Take a shallow white tub and a cup to a pond. Collect some pond water in the tub. Then scoop up any insects you find on or under the water’s surface. Watch how they move their legs, whether they twirl or dive… and write down some words to describe what you notice. Then put everyone back where they belong.

Today we’re joining Perfect Picture Book Friday. It’s a wonderful gathering where bloggers share great picture books at Susanna Leonard Hill's website. Review copy provided by the publisher.
https://susannahill.com/blog/

When a Stream Tells a Story

The Secret Stream 

by Kimberly Ridley; illus. by Megan Elizabeth Baratta 

40 pages; ages 6-8

Tilbury House Publishers, 2022

theme: streams, ecology, animals

My life begins when gray-bellied clouds fling down rain that seeps underground, filling crevices in soil and stone until… out I spill from a spring in the heart of the forest.

This is the story of a headwater stream told by the stream itself! The stream narrates its journey to the lowlands, sometimes burbling, sometimes tumbling over a jumble of boulders. Along the way, it introduces us to the animals that live in its waters and beneath the stones of its streambed, and those living along the banks. We meet nest builders and lodge builders and occasional visitors large and small.

What I like about this book: I like the first-person narrative. When we meet streams in the wild, we can hear them murmur and gurgle, but who knew they had stories to tell? I like the internal rhymes, and the onomatopoeia and verbs that give this story splash and dash! I like how some text tells the story while other text explains things such as how animals see underwater.

And of course, there is back matter! An author’s note dives into what headwater streams are, and the ecosystem they create. There’s a great section called “Cast of Characters” that explains more about each animal living in the stream ecosystem. A glossary and “how to protect streams” sections round out the book. This is a wonderful resource for kids – and adults – who want to explore the streams where they live.

Beyond the Books:

Explore a stream, or a creek. Each has its own personality, based on how large or small it is, and the type of environment it runs through. What plants and trees grow alongside your stream? What birds, insects, and other animals do you notice visiting the stream? You might find tracks in the mud showing who visits at night.

What lives in the stream? You might see small fish, frogs, crayfish, or even a muskrat. Look for insects on the water’s surface and along the streambed. Look under rocks to see who’s hiding there – and then replace the rock when you are finished. Draw pictures of some of the animals you meet.

Listen to the sound of your stream. Try recording your stream at different times of the day, at different seasons of the year. Listen to the animal sounds while you’re sitting quietly. What do you hear?

Kimberly Ridley will join us on Monday to talk about how wonder and curiosity inspire her writing. Today we're joining Perfect Picture Book Friday, an event where bloggers share great picture books at Susanna Leonard Hill's website. Review pdf provided by the publisher.